A/N: Okay, now Chapters are in order. I totally blame the utter chaos that has been the last few weeks. First, I had Finals, and then there was getting ready for vacation, and all the traveling, and then there was being at the house with all my siblings and my niece and nephews, so there's all that and...it's just friggin' ridiculous. Anyways, the Chapter before this one is a few hours after the Re-Integration happens, and this one is the next day so Delta has been with the Decepticons for about...idk, like...almost 3-1/2 months? I'm terrible at keeping track of this timeline stuff, so just bear with me.

Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers in any shape or form. I only own the story and any and all OCs in said story. If there's someone you're not familiar with, it's probably an OC.

Blah = Flashback

'Blah' = Thoughts

(Blah) = Sign Language

{Blah} = Symbiote Bond

PLEASE COMMENT! I NEED CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM TO MAKE MY STORIES (PRESENT, FUTURE, OR OTHERWISE) BETTER!

Delta lounges under the large oak tree in the front yard. Miranda and Katie were both having a picnic for lunch, the two seeming to not want to let him out of their sight. Though, considering he hadn't spoken to them since his first visit, he couldn't really blame them. He watches the two humans, a smile appearing as Katie reaches over, scratching Talon behind the ear. The panther was understandably cautious when he first met the young human, soon becoming an almost protector for her.

It's the day after he arrived, and he had done his best to explain what happened the past few months. Miranda had been ready to go on a warpath when he—albeit hesitantly—told her what happened with the Autobots and why he was no longer with them. When he accidentally mentioned Talon, the woman wanted to meet the panther. Imagine her surprise when his back-plating split to allow Talon to disengage. Her eyes had gone wide, and she stepped back, wanting to stay clear of the razor-sharp claws and dagger-like teeth. Katie on the other hand…

(Flashback)

"…and so, I've been with the Decepticons for the last few months. They are actually nothing like the Autobots described, and I've gotten a lot better thanks to them. Talon has helped a lot too."

Miranda tilts her head.

"Talon?"

Oops.

"Uh…he's…he's a-oh, it's just another Decepticon who I've become friends with, and…" Delta trails off as Miranda crosses her arms, her left eyebrow lifting.

He sighs, his shoulders slumping. 'Oh, what the Pit.'

{Talon, guess it's time to meet them face-to-face.}

Nothing happens at first, then he feels his back-plating shift, a small weight detaching from him. He hears Talon land on the ground with a soft thump, the panther coming over to stand next to him. Miranda gasps, her hands flying up to her mouth. Eyes widening, the woman steps back, fully prepared to bolt at the first sign of a threat.

"Miranda, Katie, this…is Talon. He's what's called a Symbiote. Talon, meet Miranda and Katie."

Miranda lowers her hands.

"I-It's nice to meet you…Talon."

Delta turns to Katie, the little girl staring at Talon with wide blue eyes. She wasn't moving, and he was starting to get a little worried. It would be really bad if neither human were accepting of Talon.

Suddenly, Katie's hands fly up, the young girl rapidly signing. He relaxes with a relieved sigh as he recognizes the sign.

(KittyKittyKittyKittyKittyKitty!)

She moves forward, dodging her mom's attempt to pull her back. The young girl moves right up to Talon, the panther pulling back slightly in surprise at her excitement.

{Master, what do I do?}

{Just let her pet you, Talon. She's curious.}

The panther lowers his helm, allowing Katie to place her small hand on his muzzle. Her eyes fill with wonder, her other hand coming up to scratch behind his ear. Talon stiffens, only to close his optics and lean into the touch, a rumbling purr emerging from deep in his chest. Out of the corner of his visor, Delta sees Miranda relax, slowly moving to the two.

Miranda comes to a stop in front of Talon. Taking a deep breath, she slowly lifts a hand, placing it on Talon's helm. Feeling the warm, living metal beneath her hand, the woman lets out a breathy laugh, amazement replacing fear.

(Flashback Ends)

"Delta?"

He blinks, the memory disappearing. He meets Miranda's eyes.

"I'm okay, Miranda. Really. I was just thinking."

Though she seemed to not buy it, Miranda leaves it alone. Instead, she gets to her feet, brushing crumbs off of her pants. Getting Katie's attention, the two begin to clean up the leftover food. Talon gets up, moving over to Delta, sitting down at his side and watching the two humans with gentle red optics. Delta smiles at the feelings of contentment trickling from the panther's side of the bond. He was pretty confident with considering this visit—no matter how short it had been—a success. He knew they'd have to leave soon before anyone got too suspicious about his absence. He hadn't exactly told someone when he opened the Ground Bridge. He knew he'd probably get in trouble for that…hopefully it wasn't too bad of a punishment. Maybe...clean the Washracks or something? That didn't sound too difficult.

He chuckles as Talon moves back over to the humans, crouching down to allow Katie onto his back. Eyes lighting up in excitement, the young child climbs up onto the broad back, gripping the robot cat's scruff bar. He stands back up, lowering his helm to gently hold the thick blanket in his mouth. Turning, he follows Miranda to the house and in through the front door, Katie riding on his back the whole time.

Smiling in amusement, Delta shakes his helm and begins to follow. Suddenly, he freezes as he hears the familiar sound of a jet engine and transformation. A loud thud on the ground behind him signifies that whoever it was large. And he knew there were only two Mechs who could make the earth shake like that. The smile falls from his face.

'Oh, Primus…please no…'

Delta whips around, his optics widening as his spark drops like a brick. Standing there next to the oak, was one he did not want to know about this.

"L-Lord Megatron…Sir. W-What are you…"

A lifted servo makes his mouth shut. The large silver Mech places his servos behind his back. Delta feels his spark drop more as Dreadwing steps out from behind the Warlord.

"Delta. As I am sure you are aware, there is not much that goes on around the ship without my knowledge."

"Y-Yes, Sir."

Red optics narrow.

"So imagine my surprise when I not only learn of an unauthorized GroundBridge to unknown coordinates, but that the one who activated said unauthorized GroundBridge was you. Is there anything you would like to say?"

This couldn't be happening…Megatron was here…the Decepticon Warlord was here...

Instantly, Delta is bombarded with images of Miranda and Kris, and little Katie. Without hesitating, Delta calls forth his weapons, his servo morphing into his gun. He lifts it, aiming it right at the silver Mech's spark. He can see Dreadwing step back in shock and it hurts him. But he doesn't stand down. Instead, he meets Megatron's surprised optics.

"Y-You...Y-You need to leave. I know you don't like humans, but I do. Miranda and Katie are…they're all I have left, and I promised my partner I would protect them. Even if it means no longer being affiliated with you. I-I don't care if you consider it a weakness, I won't let anything happen to them. So, please, Megatron. Leave."

He could hear Talon keeping Miranda and Katie in the house. But he keeps his focus on the two Mech's in front of him. He was shaking—he could see his gun quivering. He was terrified that he'd just made a huge mistake that would cost him Miranda and Katie. He had once again overstepped, but he had no choice—Megatron would take him out and then hurt Miranda and Katie. H-He had to protect them. He had to…

Instead, Megatron does nothing but step back. Turning, the Warlord walks away, leaping into the air and transforming, blasting away. Dreadwing shoots Delta a pained look, wanting to stay, but instead follows Megatron. Once the two of them are mere specks in the distance, Delta deactivates his gun, the weapon shifting back into a servo.

His legs give out and he drops to his knees, a low keen echoing from his chest as he wraps his arms around his body. He could distantly hear Talon coming out of the house, followed by Miranda and Katie. His servos lift to grip his helm and he begins to hyperventilate.

He just pulled a weapon on Megatron. The one Mech who he knew would make sure he regretted it. And Dreadwing…the one who did more than anyone to help him. It was the Autobots' base all over again. He couldn't go back. They wouldn't accept him anymore—he'd just made them an enemy. It all happened so fast…how could he do something so stupid?!

"Delta, look at me."

Delta slowly opens his optics, Miranda coming into focus. She's why he did it. Her and Katie. They were all he had left of his partner, and even if it meant he really stayed out of the war like a true Neutral…even if he became an enemy of both Autobots and Decepticons…he would do whatever it took to keep those two humans who meant so much to him safe.

Even if he had no one else.